Welcome to West Shore Electric LLC
Electrical has become a drastically changing industry. You need an electrical contractor that can keep up with all the current code changes and advances in the field. 21st century electrical work defies simple definition. The professional electricians at West Shore Electric LLC can handle any job large or small. If you're looking to hire a electrical contractor in New Haven and Fairfield counties, be assured that we are the ones that will never cut corners. We’ll guide you through your project to avoid additional unnecessary cost. You will get the quality product you deserve at a price you can afford. Check out just some of the electrical services we offer, then call us to schedule a free consultation and estimate. We look forward to working with you on your project!
Be careful hiring an electrical contractor
Hiring a electrical contractor electrical to work on your home can be daunting task. There are many honest contractors out there, but there are also quite a few that might be looking to rip you off. How do you know the person that you find is going to be trustworthy, or knowledgeable? There are review services and BBB ratings, sure, but can you always trust them? Here I have compiled some tips for spotting a bad electrician. There are major red flags, and knowing these can help prevent you from having a negative experience!
Asking For Too Much Money Up Front
Most electrical contractors won’t start a job without getting part of the payment upfront. After all, there are materials to buy and workers to hire. But a contractor that wants the entire sum up front should set off alarm bells. Once you fork over the cash for a project, a contractor might lose the motivation to finish the job quickly and efficiently. For most jobs, a down payment of around 15 percent is common, and an initial payment should never exceed a third of the total cost of the project.
Asks for Cash Payments
Some electrical contractors will ask to be paid in cash, which is a sure sign that there is something shady going on. Without a check or credit card statement to back you up, it becomes your word versus the contractor’s in any payment dispute. So even if a contractor offers you a cheaper rate if you pay in cash, don’t take the deal.
Too Many Subcontractors
A good electrical contractor will know how to use subcontractors wisely. For instance, if there’s a particularly tricky wiring job, it’s a good idea to call in an expert electrician. But a contractor who is overly reliant on subcontractors should raise some red flags. If a contractor is farming most of the work out to subcontractors, then he’s acting more like an unnecessary middleman rather than a essential part of the renovation process.
Won’t Give You References
If a electrical contractor refuses to give you references, it’s a sure sign that something is amiss. Every contractor should have a few pleased customers that can vouch for past jobs. If a contractor says he’s just starting out and doesn’t have references yet, take a pass and find someone with more experience.
A Truck For An Office
If a electrical contractor doesn’t have an office with an actual address, don’t hire him to work on your home. Some contractors will tell you that they are so busy, they mostly just work from their trucks and leave you with nothing more than a cellphone number. But if you hire a contractor like this, you’ll have no way to track the contractor down if he takes your money and runs.
Asking For Too Much Money Up Front
Most electrical contractors won’t start a job without getting part of the payment upfront. After all, there are materials to buy and workers to hire. But a contractor that wants the entire sum up front should set off alarm bells. Once you fork over the cash for a project, a contractor might lose the motivation to finish the job quickly and efficiently. For most jobs, a down payment of around 15 percent is common, and an initial payment should never exceed a third of the total cost of the project.
Asks for Cash Payments
Some electrical contractors will ask to be paid in cash, which is a sure sign that there is something shady going on. Without a check or credit card statement to back you up, it becomes your word versus the contractor’s in any payment dispute. So even if a contractor offers you a cheaper rate if you pay in cash, don’t take the deal.
Too Many Subcontractors
A good electrical contractor will know how to use subcontractors wisely. For instance, if there’s a particularly tricky wiring job, it’s a good idea to call in an expert electrician. But a contractor who is overly reliant on subcontractors should raise some red flags. If a contractor is farming most of the work out to subcontractors, then he’s acting more like an unnecessary middleman rather than a essential part of the renovation process.
Won’t Give You References
If a electrical contractor refuses to give you references, it’s a sure sign that something is amiss. Every contractor should have a few pleased customers that can vouch for past jobs. If a contractor says he’s just starting out and doesn’t have references yet, take a pass and find someone with more experience.
A Truck For An Office
If a electrical contractor doesn’t have an office with an actual address, don’t hire him to work on your home. Some contractors will tell you that they are so busy, they mostly just work from their trucks and leave you with nothing more than a cellphone number. But if you hire a contractor like this, you’ll have no way to track the contractor down if he takes your money and runs.
No Insurance or License
Regulations vary from state to state, but in general electrical contractors need to be insured and licensed to work on a home. Unlicensed contractors might offer you a cut-rate deal on a renovation, but they can leave you exposed if something goes wrong. If an injury occurs during the job, or the works cause damage to a neighbor’s home, you could be on the hook for damages. So make sure to see a contractor’s paperwork before you sign a contract.
No Contract or an Open-Ended Contract
Beware of any electrical contractor that does business with a handshake agreement or that gives you a contract that’s overly open-ended and fails to set deadlines. Home renovations are complex things, and every stage of the renovation should be documented in the contract. Sure, there will inevitably be delays in any major renovation project. Materials might not come in on time, or bad weather might prolong the project. But a good contractor should know how long certain stages of the job will take and set deadlines that he can meet. The agreement you sign should also specify what kind of materials the contractor will use. You want to protect yourself against a contractor that promises you the moon and then cuts cost with bargain-basement materials.
We’ve pointed out a few ways to spot a not so great electrician, but there are sure to be others! Knowing what not to look for will hopefully prevent you from going with the wrong contractor.
Regulations vary from state to state, but in general electrical contractors need to be insured and licensed to work on a home. Unlicensed contractors might offer you a cut-rate deal on a renovation, but they can leave you exposed if something goes wrong. If an injury occurs during the job, or the works cause damage to a neighbor’s home, you could be on the hook for damages. So make sure to see a contractor’s paperwork before you sign a contract.
No Contract or an Open-Ended Contract
Beware of any electrical contractor that does business with a handshake agreement or that gives you a contract that’s overly open-ended and fails to set deadlines. Home renovations are complex things, and every stage of the renovation should be documented in the contract. Sure, there will inevitably be delays in any major renovation project. Materials might not come in on time, or bad weather might prolong the project. But a good contractor should know how long certain stages of the job will take and set deadlines that he can meet. The agreement you sign should also specify what kind of materials the contractor will use. You want to protect yourself against a contractor that promises you the moon and then cuts cost with bargain-basement materials.
We’ve pointed out a few ways to spot a not so great electrician, but there are sure to be others! Knowing what not to look for will hopefully prevent you from going with the wrong contractor.
YOUR NEW HAVEN AND FAIRFIELD COUNTY ELECTRICIANS
Part of being a great electrician is being reliable. When power goes out or when you are experiencing faulty wiring issues, you need a residential electrician that can be there on time. We provide prompt and professional electrical services to our clients and are always professional and willing to provide you with value that you cannot find anywhere else! We work hard to keep your power on. We are the company that you can trust!
Fixing electrical problems immediately is important to maintaining safe living conditions. Faulty or overloaded wiring can spark and ignite fires. As your number one provider of electrical services in New Haven and Fairfield county, West Shore Electric LLC is happy to ensure that you are not without service for an extended amount of time. Getting your electrical problems fixed the first time is important to us. We are licensed, certified, and have over twenty years experience.
Please review our site and don’t hesitate to call with any questions or advice – I’m here to help!
Thanks for stopping by!
Fixing electrical problems immediately is important to maintaining safe living conditions. Faulty or overloaded wiring can spark and ignite fires. As your number one provider of electrical services in New Haven and Fairfield county, West Shore Electric LLC is happy to ensure that you are not without service for an extended amount of time. Getting your electrical problems fixed the first time is important to us. We are licensed, certified, and have over twenty years experience.
Please review our site and don’t hesitate to call with any questions or advice – I’m here to help!
Thanks for stopping by!
|
Bryan Rees
Owner, West Shore Electric LLC 203-690-2477 Lic# E-1 0193613 |
Bryan Rees
West Shore Electric LLC
3 Skyline Terrace
Seymour, CT 06483
203-690-2477
westshoreelectric@hotmail.com
West Shore Electric LLC
3 Skyline Terrace
Seymour, CT 06483
203-690-2477
westshoreelectric@hotmail.com